Insurer nib’s charitable arm has committed $1 million to help close the gap in health and life expectancy outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders. 

Under nib foundation’s Aboriginal health initiative, the $1 million in funding will be doled out over four years to support a suite of Indigenous-led programs and tackle the current 10-year life expectancy difference between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians, while also addressing other significant gaps in health outcomes. 

“Through our foundation, we will actively look to partner with local community groups including  Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations and other experts in this field as we build our understanding of current community needs and best practice responses to then trial and deliver specific projects,” said Steve Crane, nib chairman.

The donation had been made possible after changes in nib’s constitution that allowed the company to transfer unclaimed dividends – unclaimed over five years – to nib foundation.  

“The change in our constitution, which we think is a first for corporate Australia, means unclaimed dividends are put to work directly funding charitable organisations or initiatives that support community focused health and wellbeing programs,” Crane said. 

Over the past five years, nib foundation has committed more than $350,000 in grant funding to seven Aboriginal youth mental health and wellbeing initiatives.